Early multidisciplinary prevention program of post-stroke shoulder pain: A randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate if positioning the upper-limb promoting abduction, external rotation and flexion of the shoulder reduces the intensity of post-stroke shoulder pain at day-7 compared to usual clinical practice. DESIGN & SETTING: Prospective single-center randomized clinical trial using a superiority design comparing two preventive strategies of post-stroke shoulder pain in a stroke unit. SUBJECTS: Patients were included within 2 days from a first symptomatic ischemic stroke affecting shoulder motor function. INTERVENTIONS: Intervention group included specific positioning of the shoulder in abduction, external rotation and flexion in bed, chair and during mobilization. Control group referred to usual practice i.e. positioning using a standard support scarf. MAIN MEASURES: Primary outcome was the intensity of shoulder pain assessed by the visual analog scale (VAS) (0-100) at day-7 post-stroke. Other outcomes measured at day-7 and 2 months post-stroke were the VAS, motor function, spasticity, depression, functional independence and rates of complex regional Pain syndrome (CRPS). RESULTS: 76 patients (49 males; mean age = 68.3) were randomized. The shoulder pain at day-7 was not different between the control group (16.1, SD = 27.4) and the intervention group (10.3, SD = 21.5, p = 0.18) as well as at 2 months (p = 0.12). A lower rate of depression was observed in the intervention group at 2 months 36.7% (CI95% 19.9;56.1) vs 52.9% (CI95% 35.1;70.2). No between-group difference in other outcomes was observed at 2 months. CONCLUSIONS: This study failed to demonstrate the benefit of a specific positioning tool in reducing the intensity of post-stroke shoulder pain which was lower than previously reported in the literature.

A new approach for sample size calculation in cost-effectiveness studies based on value of information.

BACKGROUND: Value of information is now recognized as a reference method in the decision process underpinning cost-effectiveness evaluation. The expected value of perfect information (EVPI) is the expected value from completely reducing the uncertainty surrounding the cost-effectiveness of an innovative intervention. Among sample size calculation methods used in cost-effectiveness studies, only one is coherent with this decision framework. It uses a Bayesian approach and requires data of a pre-existing cost-effectiveness study to derive a valid prior EVPI. When evaluating the cost-effectiveness of innovations, no observed prior EVPI is usually available to calculate the sample size. We here propose a sample size calculation method for cost-effectiveness studies, that follows the value of information theory, and, being frequentist, can be based on assumptions if no observed prior EVPI is available. METHODS: The general principle of our method is to define the sampling distribution of the incremental net monetary benefit (ΔB), or the distribution of ΔB that would be observed in a planned cost-effectiveness study of size n. Based on this sampling distribution, the EVPI that would remain at the end of the trial (EVPIn) is estimated. The optimal sample size of the planned cost-effectiveness study is the n for which the cost of including an additional participant becomes equal or higher than the value of the information gathered through this inclusion. RESULTS: Our method is illustrated through four examples. The first one is used to present the method in depth and describe how the sample size may vary according to the parameters' value. The three other examples are used to illustrate in different situations how the sample size may vary according to the ceiling cost-effectiveness ratio, and how it compares with a test statistic-based method. We developed an R package (EBASS) to run these calculations. CONCLUSIONS: Our sample size calculation method follows the value of information theory that is now recommended for analyzing and interpreting cost-effectiveness data, and sets the size of a study that balances its cost and the value of its information.

Effects of mechanical in-exsufflation in preventing postextubation acute respiratory failure in intensive care acquired weakness patients: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: We hypothesized that the use of mechanical insufflation-exsufflation can reduce the incidence of acute respiratory failure within the 48-hour post-extubation period in intensive care unit-acquired weakness patients. METHODS: This was a prospective randomized controlled open-label trial. Patients diagnosed with intensive care unit-acquired weakness were consecutively enrolled based on a Medical Research Council score ≤ 48/60. The patients randomly received two daily sessions; in the control group, conventional chest physiotherapy was performed, while in the intervention group, chest physiotherapy was associated with mechanical insufflation-exsufflation. The incidence of acute respiratory failure within 48 hours of extubation was evaluated. Similarly, the reintubation rate, intensive care unit length of stay, mortality at 28 days, and survival probability at 90 days were assessed. The study was stopped after futility results in the interim analysis. RESULTS: We included 122 consecutive patients (n = 61 per group). There was no significant difference in the incidence of acute respiratory failure between treatments (11.5% control group versus 16.4%, intervention group; p = 0.60), the need for reintubation (3.6% versus 10.7%; p = 0.27), mean length of stay (3 versus 4 days; p = 0.33), mortality at Day 28 (9.8% versus 15.0%; p = 0.42), or survival probability at Day 90 (21.3% versus 28.3%; p = 0.41). CONCLUSION: Mechanical insufflation-exsufflation combined with chest physiotherapy seems to have no impact in preventing postextubation acute respiratory failure in intensive care unit-acquired weakness patients. Similarly, mortality and survival probability were similar in both groups. Nevertheless, given the early termination of the trial, further clinical investigation is strongly recommended. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTER: NCT01931228.

Effects of mechanical in-exsufflation in preventing postextubation acute respiratory failure in intensive care acquired weakness patients: a randomized controlled trial / Efeitos da insuflação-exsuflação mecânica na prevenção da insuficiência respiratória aguda pós-extubação em pacientes com fraqueza adquirida em terapia intensiva: um estudo controlado e randomizado

ABSTRACT Objective: We hypothesized that the use of mechanical insufflation-exsufflation can reduce the incidence of acute respiratory failure within the 48-hour post-extubation period in intensive care unit-acquired weakness patients. Methods: This was a prospective randomized controlled open-label trial. Patients diagnosed with intensive care unit-acquired weakness were consecutively enrolled based on a Medical Research Council score ≤ 48/60. The patients randomly received two daily sessions; in the control group, conventional chest physiotherapy was performed, while in the intervention group, chest physiotherapy was associated with mechanical insufflation-exsufflation. The incidence of acute respiratory failure within 48 hours of extubation was evaluated. Similarly, the reintubation rate, intensive care unit length of stay, mortality at 28 days, and survival probability at 90 days were assessed. The study was stopped after futility results in the interim analysis. Results: We included 122 consecutive patients (n = 61 per group). There was no significant difference in the incidence of acute respiratory failure between treatments (11.5% control group versus 16.4%, intervention group; p = 0.60), the need for reintubation (3.6% versus 10.7%; p = 0.27), mean length of stay (3 versus 4 days; p = 0.33), mortality at Day 28 (9.8% versus 15.0%; p = 0.42), or survival probability at Day 90 (21.3% versus 28.3%; p = 0.41). Conclusion: Mechanical insufflation-exsufflation combined with chest physiotherapy seems to have no impact in preventing postextubation acute respiratory failure in intensive care unit-acquired weakness patients. Similarly, mortality and survival probability were similar in both groups. Nevertheless, given the early termination of the trial, further clinical investigation is strongly recommended. Clinical Trials Register: NCT 01931228

RESUMO Objetivo: Verificar se o uso de insuflação-exsuflação mecânica pode reduzir a incidência da insuficiência respiratória aguda no período de 48 horas pós-extubação em pacientes com fraqueza adquirida em unidades de terapia intensiva. Métodos: Estudo prospectivo, randomizado, controlado e aberto. Os pacientes diagnosticados com fraqueza adquirida em unidade de terapia intensiva foram incluídos consecutivamente, com base em uma pontuação do Medical Research Council ≤ 48/60. Os pacientes receberam aleatoriamente duas sessões diárias; no grupo controle, realizou-se fisioterapia torácica convencional, enquanto no grupo intervenção, combinou-se fisioterapia torácica com insuflação-exsuflação mecânica. Avaliou-se a incidência de insuficiência respiratória aguda dentro de 48 horas após a extubação. Da mesma forma, avaliaram-se a taxa de reintubação, o tempo de permanência na unidade de terapia intensiva, a mortalidade aos 28 dias e a probabilidade de sobrevida aos 90 dias. O estudo foi interrompido após resultados de futilidade na análise intermediária. Resultados: Incluímos 122 pacientes consecutivos (n = 61 por grupo). Não houve diferença significativa na incidência de insuficiência respiratória aguda entre os tratamentos (11,5% no grupo controle versus 16,4% no grupo intervenção; p = 0,60), na necessidade de reintubação (3,6% versus 10,7%; p = 0,27), no tempo médio de internação (3 versus 4 dias; p = 0,33), na mortalidade aos 28 dias (9,8% versus 15,0%; p = 0,42) ou na probabilidade de sobrevida aos 90 dias (21,3% versus 28,3%; p = 0,41). Conclusão: A insuflação-exsuflação mecânica associada à fisioterapia torácica parece não ter impacto na prevenção da insuficiência respiratória aguda pós-extubação em pacientes com fraqueza adquirida na unidade de terapia intensiva. Da mesma forma, a mortalidade e a probabilidade de sobrevida foram semelhantes em ambos os grupos. No entanto, devido ao término precoce do estudo, recomenda-se enfaticamente uma investigação clínica mais aprofundada. Registro Clinical Trials: NCT 01931228

Rapid Adenovirus typing method for species identification.

Adenoviruses are characterized by a large variability, reflected by their classification in species A to G. Certain species, eg A and C, could be associated with increased clinical severity, both in immunocompetent and immunocompromised hosts suggesting that in some instances species identification provides clinically relevant information. Here we designed a novel "pVI rapid typing method" to obtain quick, simple and cost effective species assignment for Adenoviruses, thanks to combined fusion temperature (Tm) and amplicon size analysis. Rapid typing results were compared to Sanger sequencing in the hexon gene for 140 Adenovirus-positive clinical samples included in the Typadeno study. Species A and C could be identified with a 100% positive predictive value, thus confirming the value of this simple typing method.